Northrop Grumman has received a contract for delivering the hybrid global positioning system (GPS) and inertial reference system to be used in Embraer Defense and Security KC-390 medium-lift military transport aircraft.
As per the contract, Northrop Grumman LITEF, which is the company's German navigation systems subsidiary, will supply the fibre-optic, gyro-compass LCR-100 Attitude and Heading Reference System. The system will be deployed within Embraer's new fly-by-wire KC-390 aircraft, which will have its first flight in 2014.
According to the managing director for Northrop Grumman LITEF, Eckehardt Keip, the LCR-100 gyro-compass promotes improved competence and savings to Embraer's KC-390 military transport aircraft. This system will cater to the standards set for Embraer’s new aircraft.
The LCR-100 is a high-efficiency inertial reference system delivering navigation information based on the aircraft's position, attitude, and heading. The gyro-compass feature does not require a magnetic sensing unit. Furthermore, the system ensures enduring coasting performance promoting precision to the aircraft, while delivering navigation information during GPS signal loss.
Northrop Grumman LITEF has been providing inertial navigation systems and computers, inertial sensors, and inertial reference with solutions effectively used in over 30 countries in marine vessels, aircraft, and ground mobile applications. The company offers 15,000 fibre-optic gyro systems being used in global aircraft.
The KC-390 is a Brazilian air force project that will revolutionize medium-lift military transport market for cargo capacity, efficiency, versatility, and life cycle costs. The aircraft will be used for troop and cargo transportation, and also for medical evacuation, in-flight refueling, and search and rescue.
Source: http://www.northropgrumman.com/